Railway bogie

ABSTRACT

A bogie truck for a rail vehicle has a pair of rigid side frames, front and rear axles extending between the side frames, front and rear abutments on the side frames and suspension means in the form of a resilient block comprising alternate laminations of a rigid material and of a resilient material, each block being associated with an abutment on the side frame and inclined downwardly thereto. Each side frame is formed in that portion thereof forwardly of its front abutment and in that portion thereof rearwardly of its rear abutment with an opening disposed in register with the brake-applying means of the associated wheel and axle set.

United States Patent 1191 Sinclair Sept. 9, 1975 RAILWAY BOGIE 141 1.45s ll/l9o8 Sinclair 105/197 A 3 5l7,6ZU 6,'l97U W be .1 105 l97 A [76] lnventor: Frederick William Sinclair, 3 52' 569 7/1970 j g Ct [US$182 R calmness Limsdown 1799,066 3/1974 Jackson 105/120 R Gloucester, England [22] Filed: Oct. 2, [973 Primary [:lmminerM. Henson Wood Jr.

2] l N 72 Assis/un! Exuminer-Howard Beltran i App S Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Young & Thompson [30] Foreign Application Priority Data 57 ABSTRACT Unicd Kingdom 45653/72 A bogie truck for a rail vehicle has a pair of rigid side frames, front and rear axles extending between the [52] Cl 105/182 R; side frames, front and rear abutments on the side frames and suspension means in the form of a resilient f igg gg lf block comprising alternate laminations of a rigid ma- IS I 0 earc 5 207 1 terial and of a resilient material each block being associated with an abutment on the side frame and inclined downwardly thereto. Each side frame is formed [56] References cued in that portion thereof forwardly of its front abutment UNITED STATES PATENTS and in that portion thereof rearwardly of its rear abut LWISIR 2/1935 Symington 1. 105/207 X ment with an opening disposed in register with the lvi 'iifi l 4/1935 Suckfield 105/2 5 brake-applying means of the associated wheel and axle zvxrzux 4119M Sinclair 1. 105/197 A Set 1H4 ,479 5/l965 Rumscy ct til IDS/I97 A 3,342,|4(I 9/1967 Lich 1. IDS/197 A 4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTED 93975 3.903.811

SHEET 1 [IF 2 'PATENIEDSEP ms SHEET 2 OF 2 RAILWAY BOGIF.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to bogie trucks for rail vehicles and is more particularly concerned with the suspension arrangements of such bogie trucks.

The type of bogie normally used for passengercarrying vehicles generally includes fixed transverse members interconnecting a pair of side frames, the fixed transverse members supporting a floating bolster hung from links attached to the transverse members to permit lateral movement of the vehicle superstructure relative to the bogie. On the other hand, the type of bogie normally used for goods wagons normally has a single transverse member connecting the side frames together, such transverse member being the bolster itself which does not normally float on links and is either completely rigid with the side frames or, as in the case of spring plankless" bogie, is slidably mounted on spring means in the side frames.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a bogie truck the suspension arrangement of which includes side frames of improved design. Thus, according to the invention, a bogie truck for a rail vehicle includes a pair of rigid side frames, front and rear axles extending between the side frames, front and rear abutments on the side frames, a transverse member extending between the side frames and having front and rear abutments at each end portion thereof arranged in respective opposed relation to the front and rear abutments on the side frames so that each two opposed abutments cooperate to form a spaced pair of abutments between which is disposed a resilient block comprising alternate laminations of a rigid material and of a resilient material, each block being inclined downwardly from its abutment on the transverse member to its abutment on the side frame, the arrangement being such that vertical and lateral loads on the transverse member and traction and braking forces cause combined shear and compression loads in said resilient material. and each side frame being formed in that portion thereof forwardly ofthe front abutment and in that portion thereof rearwardly of the rear abutment with an opening disposed in register with the brake-applying means of the associated wheel and axle set.

Each opening is preferably of generally triangular form in side view with the corners of the triangle radiussed. Each triangular opening is preferably bounded by an upper substantially horizontal side, a side extend ing downwardly from the outer end of said horizontal side to a position inwardly of the inner end of said horizontal side and a side which extends generally parallel to the planes containing the rigid laminations of the adjacent resilient block.

Each resilient block, when viewed in plan, may have two portions oppositely inclined to the longitudinal extension of the side frames and the abutments between which the resilient blocks are disposed may be constituted by mounting members attached to the transverse member or side frames. The transverse member conveniently forms the sole connection between the side frames except for the axles and the truck may be so constructed as to be capable of being assembled or dismantled without taking the complete truck from underneath the superstructure in the event of it being necessary to change a side frame, an operation which can only be effected with considerable difficulty with the normal construction of bogie. The provision of the openings in the side frames enables a substantial reduction to be made in the weight of each side frame whilst at the same time facilitating cooling of the brakeapplying means and maintenance and replacement thereof.

As a result of the inclination of the resilient blocks to the vertical, so that the body load is sustained partly in shear and partly in compression, the body load produces a bending moment in the side frames which can be arranged to counterbalance almost completely the bending moment due to the vertical loadings of the axle boxes. As a result, the section of each side frame be tween the two resilient blocks becomes more a tension tie than a beam in bending. It follows, therefore, that the cross-section of the frame can be made shallower than it would otherwise be if the load were carried, for instance, on coil springs at the ends of the transverse member which would produce a much greater bending moment in the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a spring plankless wagon bogie truck according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of a carriage bogie truck according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a half plan view, partly cut away, ofa further construction of spring plankless wagon bogie truck according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view ofa bogie truck similar to that of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is an end view of the bogie truck of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Each of the bogie trucks shown in FIGS. I and 2 has side frames 1 in which the axles of two wheel and axle sets 2 are rotatably mounted in axles boxes 3 of conventional form. In the wagon bogie of FIG. I, a single transverse member 4 constitutes a bolster formed with a truck pivot mounting 4a which connects together the side frames 1 whereas, in the carriage bogie of FIG. 2, two transverse elements 5a formed as a single fabricated member similarly connect together the side frames I. In both these arrangements the transverse members are secured to, and resiliently suspended from, the side frames 1 by means of blocks such as 6 of rubber or similar resilient material, four of these blocks being interposed between adjacent parts of the transverse members and the side frames 1. The blocks 6 are comprised of arcuate laminations comprising three layers of rubber sandwiched between four alternating steel plates.

The carriage-type bogie truck of FIG. 2 has a space between the two transverse elements 5a. in which is supported a separate or auxiliary floating bolster 7 which is formed with a carriage mounting 7a and which permits lateral movement of a coach body mounted on the bolster. Four further resilient blocks 8. which are conveniently of laminated cylindrical form, are disposed adjacent the four corners of the bolster 7 and provide a resilient mounting of the bolster on the fabricated transverse member. In the bogie trucks of FIGS.

3 and 4, the laminations of the resilient blocks 6 which connect the transverse member 4 to the side frames 1 are of chevron shape in plan view instead of arcuate but are disposed and operate as described above. Braking means of conventional form are fitted and comprise brake beams 9 and brake shoes 10 which operate on both wheel and axle sets 2.

Each block 6 is fixed between a pair of opposed abutments on the transverse member and a side frame. The transverse member has front and rear abutments at each end and the side frames each have front and rear abutments opposed to the front and rear abutments respectively on the transverse member. Suitably contoured mounting members, such as that indicated at 11, are mounted on vertical mounting faces formed on one of the side frames 1 and on the transverse member, said mounting members providing the abutments. Each resilient block 8 is fixed at its lower end to a mounting member carried on a vertical face of one transverse element and is fixed at its upper end to a lateral face of the bolster 7. This arrangement provides for a downward inclination of the resilient blocks so that they sus tain not only body loads but also traction forces, braking forces and lateral thrust due to side sway of the body in motion as combined shear and traction loads.

As indicated in FIG. 4, the downward inclination of the blocks 6 results in a vertical body load in the direction of the arrow W on the transverse member 4 being transmitted to each side frame 1 as resultant thrusts in the directions of the arrows T. These thrusts produce bending moments in the side frames 1 which can be arranged to counterbalance almost completely the bend ing moments due to the vertical loading of the axle boxes. This enables the cross-section of each side frame 1 between the two corresponding blocks 6 to be considerably less than is normally the case, resulting in side frames of considerably cheaper and lighter form.

The resilient blocks 6 can also be arranged with their longitudinal axes directed inwardly from the side frames as well as upwardly, so that they have a tendency to maintain the associated transverse member and the wheel and axle sets 2 square with the side frames 1. In all cases, the two side frames 1, which are the main members of the truck structure, are retained relative to one another by the resiliently suspended transverse member and have openings 12 formed therein as shown in FIG. 4.

The openings 12 are of triangulated form with the corners thereof radiussed, the openings 12 being disposed in register with the braking means 9, 10 whereby access thereto for maintenance purposes is facilitated and whereby dissipation of heat therefrom is enhanced. Each triangular opening 12 has an upper, generally horizontal side 12a. and a side 12h which extends downwardly from the outer end of side 12a to a position inwardly of the inner end of side 12a. The third side [21' of each triangular opening thus extends parallel to the planes containing the rigid laminations of the adjacent resilient block 6 and thus at right angles to the direction of action of the thrust transmitted by the block. The openings 12 are thus arranged to permit a reduction in the weight ofeach side frame 1 without reducing the effective strength thereof.

What is claimed is:

l. A bogie truck for a rail vehicle. including:

1. a pair of rigid side frames,

2. front and rear axles extending between the side frames,

3. a rearwardly facing front abutment and a forwardly facing rear abutment on each of the side frames,

4. a transverse member extending between the side frames, said transverse member having front and rear abutments at each end portion thereof arranged in respective opposed relation to the front and rear abutments on the side frames so that each two opposed abutments cooperate to form a spaced pair of abutments,

5. a resilient block comprising alternate laminations of a rigid material and of a resilient material disposed between each spaced pair of abutments,

6. each block being inclined downwardly from its abutment on the transverse member to its abutment on the side frame, said blocks acting as forcetransmitting members between the side frames and the transverse member such that vertical and lateral loads applied to the transverse member and traction and braking forces cause combined shear and compression loads in said resilient material,

7. the load transmitted from the transverse member to the side frames producing bending moments in the side frames such that the section of each side frame between the front and rear abutments functions substantially as a tension tie,

8. said section of each side frame being disposed solely beneath the associated resilient blocks whereby each side frame affords an upwardly directed opening in which the associated end portion of the transverse member and the pair of resilient blocks are received, and

9. each side frame being formed in that portion thereof rearwardly of the front abutment and in that portion thereof rearwardly of the rear abut ment with an opening disposed in register with the brake-applying means of the associated wheel and axle set.

2. A bogie truck according to claim I, wherein each opening is of generally triangular form in side view with the corners thereof radiussed.

3. A bogie truck according to claim 2, wherein each triangular opening is bounded by an upper substantially horizontal side. a side extending downwardly from the outer end of the said horizontal side to a position inwardly of the inner end of said horizontal side and a side which extends generally parallel to the planes containing the rigid laminations of the adjacent resilient block.

4. A bogie truck according to claim I, wherein each resilient block, when viewed in plan, has two portions oppositely inclined to the longitudinal extensions of the side frames. 

1. A bogie truck for a rail vehicle, including:
 1. a pair of rigid side frames,
 2. front and rear axles extending between the side frames,
 3. a rearwardly facing front abutment and a forwardly facing rear abutment on each of the side frames,
 4. a transverse member extending between the side frames, said transverse member having front and rear abutments at each end portion thereof arranged in respective opposed relation to the front and rear abutments on the side frames so that each two opposed abutments cooperate to form a spaced pair of abutments,
 5. a resilient block comprising alternate laminations of a rigid material and of a resilient material disposed between each spaced pair of abutments,
 6. eAch block being inclined downwardly from its abutment on the transverse member to its abutment on the side frame, said blocks acting as force-transmitting members between the side frames and the transverse member such that vertical and lateral loads applied to the transverse member and traction and braking forces cause combined shear and compression loads in said resilient material,
 7. the load transmitted from the transverse member to the side frames producing bending moments in the side frames such that the section of each side frame between the front and rear abutments functions substantially as a tension tie,
 8. said section of each side frame being disposed solely beneath the associated resilient blocks whereby each side frame affords an upwardly directed opening in which the associated end portion of the transverse member and the pair of resilient blocks are received, and
 9. each side frame being formed in that portion thereof rearwardly of the front abutment and in that portion thereof rearwardly of the rear abutment with an opening disposed in register with the brake-applying means of the associated wheel and axle set.
 2. front and rear axles extending between the side frames,
 2. A bogie truck according to claim 1, wherein each opening is of generally triangular form in side view with the corners thereof radiussed.
 3. A bogie truck according to claim 2, wherein each triangular opening is bounded by an upper substantially horizontal side, a side extending downwardly from the outer end of the said horizontal side to a position inwardly of the inner end of said horizontal side and a side which extends generally parallel to the planes containing the rigid laminations of the adjacent resilient block.
 3. a rearwardly facing front abutment and a forwardly facing rear abutment on each of the side frames,
 4. a transverse member extending between the side frames, said transverse member having front and rear abutments at each end portion thereof arranged in respective opposed relation to the front and rear abutments on the side frames so that each two opposed abutments cooperate to form a spaced pair of abutments,
 4. A bogie truck according to claim 1, wherein each resilient block, when viewed in plan, has two portions oppositely inclined to the longitudinal extensions of the side frames.
 5. a resilient block comprising alternate laminations of a rigid material and of a resilient material disposed between each spaced pair of abutments,
 6. eAch block being inclined downwardly from its abutment on the transverse member to its abutment on the side frame, said blocks acting as force-transmitting members between the side frames and the transverse member such that vertical and lateral loads applied to the transverse member and traction and braking forces cause combined shear and compression loads in said resilient material,
 7. the load transmitted from the transverse member to the side frames producing bending moments in the side frames such that the section of each side frame between the front and rear abutments functions substantially as a tension tie,
 8. said section of each side frame being disposed solely beneath the associated resilient blocks whereby each side frame affords an upwardly directed opening in which the associated end portion of the transverse member and the pair of resilient blocks are received, and
 9. each side frame being formed in that portion thereof rearwardly of the front abutment and in that portion thereof rearwardly of the rear abutment with an opening disposed in register with the brake-applying means of the associated wheel and axle set. 